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Mr. Dowd you are a shinning example of what is wrong with the politics of today. You just sit on the fence...
"When asked whether he agreed with Lozeau's assessment that the proposal was a "reasonable and fair compromise," Dowd only said that wants to see the situation resolved as quickly as possible.". Way to sit on the fence Mr. Dowd checking which way t5he wind blows. No opinion till you see which way the river flows?
NTU...it is time to suck it up. Many of us have been in your shoes . What do we do we suck it up or go else where. I have suck it up in the past(so have others) I stayed because Nashua is my city. I had the option to go but choose not to because this is where I live and I like it here. Maybe next contract we will be further "Downstream"(thank-you Hottel)
The teachers are not the only ones without a contract brainiac.
I haven't had a raise at an electronics company job for 5 years!
My insurance payments have gone up 26% just this year. What would a teacher say to a 26% increase in their payments?!
Our property insurance is outrageous! I paid less than $2k in California before I moved here. Now I pay about
$7k a year.
These teachers have it made with great insurance, lots of time off and job security!!
And all see with most teachers is standard handouts/books doing the "teaching". My kids come home and say the teacher didn't teach them how to do
the homework. My kids are A students thanks to their diligence using the computer for assitance in learning.
We have to buy gifts for teachers and pay for supplies while listening to them complain every year.
The rest of us can barely afford to live in Nashua anymore.
All my neighbors are in the same boat.
Sick and tired of the teachers whining.
They make very good $ and benefits.
The average teacher salary is close to $48,000. 83 school district employees earned an average of $64,976.each. 79 Teachers earned $60,000 each in 2007. 258 Teachers
earned more than $55,000. 88 Teachers earned more than the average salary of $47,818.
Last I heard we were talking about closing a school and cutting costs. And now?!
The highest-paid School Superintendent in the State of New Hampshire at $150,000 per year has requested a $20,000 a year raise for himself. A $20k raise on a $150k salary is a 13.3% raise!
I even read they get paid a stipend for medical after they leave. Huh?!
And if you include benefits.. " For 965 teachers covered under the contract (one teacher for every 13 students), this averages to a cost to the taxpayers of $75,907 per teacher per year, or $58.93 per hour for 1,288 annual contract hours." Quote by Fred Teeboom
Alderman-at-large in Nashua.
Seriously thinking of leaving if taxes keep rising.
THANK YOU MAYOR FOR SOME HOPE!
WE CAN STAND UP TO UNIONS...YES WE CAN!
You almost had me but then you mentioned Fred Teeboom. He of the twisted statistics, According to Fred these raises will move the teachers from 56th to 33rd in average salary in NH. He fails to tell you that almost all of the districts that are lower are north of Concord, many in areas that you can purchase a 3 bedroom home for less than you can buy a building lot for in
Southern NH..
Also you can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time but please when to compare taxes between NH and CA and call NH expensive your coming from the Fred school of statistics. In CA you have an income tax and a sales tax and a hundred other
taxes that more than cover the difference in the property taxes.
I am not a teacher but I don't like it when you and Fred both you statistics to try and fool people many of whom believe it.
My children are repeatedly asking for instruction on their homework assignments, citing the lack
of explanation from their classroom teacher.
In my opinion, the quality of lessons are in the hopper; Yet, my child is well versed on the matter of contract disputes.
You are incorrect.
You assume that I do not have good judgement over my child's lack of attention vs. a teacher's lack
of instruction.
Again, incorrect.
Pathetic, really; Your need to insert your own opinions where they were not solicited.
Just curious. What was the outcome? Did the teacher offer to work with your kids before or after school? Give them extra work? Did they do anything?
And, I am well active in my child's education and sadly aware of the particular classroom environment that I am commenting on.
You are not, and were not summoned for advice.
If it's one classroom that you are not happy with, you have the right as a parent to have your child removed from that classroom and placed into another one. You are your child's advocate, why haven't you done this if you are so dissatisfied with what they are doing in class??
Lumping all teachers together for the lack of quality of their lessons is really unfair. If your child is well versed with the contract situation more so than class work, maybe the teacher's contract issue not an issue that you should be discussing with your kids. Our teachers don't discus this with our kids and I'm assuming(of course I am) that all teachers are remaining professional and not discussing it with their students. Although if it's high school level and students are reading the paper and asking questions in their high school politics class, that's understandable and a completely different circumstance.
Lastly, if you thought you could come on to a public board, put down the quality of the lessons and not have people comment or "advise you", then from the comments I've read thus far from you, you live in a bubble and are probably the type to take every word your kids tell you verbatim and think everyone else involved is wrong...
Ummmm- not really, that's not really a Policy.
Besides, I thought you said you taught in another district.
Kids need to learn to get along in all situations.
to A taxpayer and Parent
my post has nothing to do with you.
you pounced on my comments because I spoke out about my child's teacher. you are the one making that a case against all teachers.
pathetic.
Again, if you don't want back lash, then don't post...this is a PUBLIC forum, not your private coffee clinch
It's open for anyone to respond whether is has to do with them or not.
That being said there are a large amount of wonderful teachers in Nashua, and there are plenty of duds, too! I have had my children removed from classes, here in Nashua, if they were in with the wrong teacher or situation. It can be done. In some cases you can also remove your child from a school and place him or her in another school.
Just so that someone doesn't get antsy with this and blame the teachers. We did not chose this math curriculum and you are required to teach what the BOE decides. Can you be creative within the curriculum? Absolutely, but you must follow the curriculum. Teachers do not have a say in who is hired and retained as teachers, so yes, you will have a few bad eggs, but that is ultimately an administrative and not a teacher, or I believe, a union issue! Also one teacher may not be a great match for one child, but makes a wonderful match other children!
This is what my students know about the these issues, for any year even, as a student in Nashua! I let them know how valued they are by the citizen's of Nashua because I tell them how much it costs to put them in that seat for a year. I let them know how much a day of educating them costs the citizens also. Then I tell them that is why it is important they are in school every day that they can and when they are in school they are here to work and do their best. They are to honor the commitment that the city has made to them.
I expect the child to be commited to learning and I expect the city to be commited to education. Many of the citizens with the anti- education mentality that I see exhibited here frankly frighten me! Also, if you are complaining about one or two teachers now, can you imagine what will happen in the coming years as the teachers leave and Nashua gets whomever is willing to teach here? Can you imagine what will happen when F. Teeboom gets his wish and starts replacing teachers with $62 a day substitutes?
Call her/him on it.
No teacher should be so distracted by their salary that the class instruction suffers.
You are so far out there when you compare teachers to trash.
Why should a teacher have to sacrifice some of these things when others are not asked to do the same? Why do we save the city $2 million in health care costs but when we ask for $3 million in retroactive pay it is considered unreasonable (keep in mind, no other union made health care concessions)?
And for clarification, I did not compare teachers to trash. It just seems strange to me that the alderman can mobilize support for a bond meant for landfill expenses but cannot make the same effort on the part of a teacher's contract. Perhaps I am unclear on the finer workings of the board of alderman and if so, I stand to be corrected.
If you made sacrifices, paid tens of thousands to educate yourself and spend over
$250 dollars annually on classroom supplies; those are YOUR financial choices.
If your financial choices put you in a place where you cannot afford to live within the
community that you work for, why is that the public's issue to hear?
The Mayor says there is no money to pay for the retroactive raises. Period. Do you
really believe that more information on YOUR financial situation will sway the public?
That is just WRONG.
The teachers knew that they were getting shafted when Teeboom and Deane jumped right on board. Her deal is worse than the one the Teeboom but forward at the last meeting. It is going to be a long and rocky road if she gets in bed with those two.
NOT
I hope the Mayor does more than *read the Telegraph* when making decisions that impact the future of this City.
teachers the day off this year.
Have they given up on religion so soon?
Go ahead. But, in the end, that time will need to be made up, right?
so much for the summer job, huh teacher?
Are you serious?
Why, so the School District can squander and waste
instead of a superbowl party.
STFU
You live in Salem
There are lots of unemployed people with NO JOBS waiting to take your place. Adios!
We laid off teachers two years ago and some of these teachers would just love to have your jobs in Nashua, it's only a short commute for them. So please leave. Please all quit at once.
I have a person coming today to look at my house for a second time ... hopefully these people will be stupid enough to buy my house and live in Nashua & pay for all you SELFISH people so that you can get your retroactive raises.
For me it's a choice between how much groceries I buy week to week & my cat usually gets fed before me ... or if you get your retroactive raises and my taxes go up even more squeezing me from being able to eat for the week.
Give me a break! You got jobs, you got your raises, and you got your summer off. I make just as much as a starting level teacher 1st year and I got a Master's degree and 10 years of experience in high tech ... you don't see me threatening to quit my job. That is just the way it is!
Sounds like you got the house, he must have really wanted to get away from you. You write like a very bitter women.
Why should we decimate the school system to subsize a life you cannot afford? Why should the rest of the city suffer the same plight as you?
You situation is difficult, certinly, but it by no means represents to reality of the other residents of this city. It is extremely poor judgement for the Mayour and Alderman to cater to the lowest common denominator.
Represent all the residents of this city, not jus the sad cases.
Check y-o-u-r-s-e-l-f
I don't know why it continues to be overlooked, but the money for the retro pay was available last November but was squandered by the city. Now the mayor and Alderman continue to cry that it can't be funded within this budget. Sorry guys you had the chance and you blew it. You failed the teachers the students and the city as a whole.
A brand new teacher with no experience who will take what he/she gets is probably going to teach a child better than some of you more experienced teachers who want your raises.
Do me a favor and buy my house. Buy it today, so I can move. Thanks.
There is nothing wrong with the quality of education in Nashua "teacher" ... you just are bellyaching cause you don't get your retroactive raise. I hope they give you a pink slip instead.
Paper mill workers plead for help
CONCORD (AP) – Northern New Hampshire paper mill workers told Rep. Paul Hodes on Friday they need help now to keep their plant open and prevent crippling job losses in the region.
Hodes said he and his staff are "looking under every rock" to find emergency money to help Fraser Papers, including grants or loans to help the company convert its oil burners to burn biomass, including wood, to make paper and heat.
"Help me find money now, immediately," Hodes said he asked federal Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman.
I don't give a crap about you teachers anyone. Every other union agreed to forego their raises for the first year but you self important teachers.
So if you push and push, you'll get what you want but it won't be coming out of Nashua taxpayer dollars is what the Alderman and Mayor are saying. So take a good look at the faces of your colleagues next time you see em and know that if you keep pushing the issue, you are going to push some of your buddies out of a job!
My reason for asking about WHERE people LIVE, is that: I think our Community would benefit from a Residency clause for our New Teachers.
Perhaps Nashua residents could look to CREATE a community FOR our teachers. Maybe ply them with some local benefits- perhaps rent the homes of our Nashua Sn*wBirds to our Nashua Teachers?
Or offer rental properties, like "Then Leave"s property.
I think the "correction" in the Market is affecting EVERYONE, and the tiresome and unfair way that the Teacher's have been strung along, with such disrespect, have combined to create all of this hostility.
Add to that the Dr. Earl Thang, and you can see why we ALL have to tighten our belts, create new (beneficial) elements in our community.
We need to pull together, and I think Residency is an opportunity to reclaim our City.
Our City businesses could present Nashua Teachers, that LIVE in Nashua a City Gift Card- with *special* discounts for OUR teachers, who are our neighbors.
Wouldn't it be nice for a couple of New Teachers, to come to Nashua, perhaps throw their money in, and live in a house- maybe a patio (maybe even a pool- they'll need a pool guy- lol).
The Nashua Young Professionals would probably be a good resource (IUGO) for ideas on how to attract Teachers who are Residents.
The Union has a lot of work to do to heal the mess in our Teacher's hearts. It's not about the money- now the mess needs to be healed, and THAT will be the job of the Union.
Mr. Sherman may need to call in Dr. Phil ...
And I do take some responsibility, and give back, in the community, and the schools. What are YOU doing to help?
It is interesting to me that individuals who sit on our board and hold OUR YOUTH's future in their hands are the very same individuals who benefitted from the excellent education that Nashua has traditionally offered, but now that they (and perhaps their families) are finished with the "benefit" it is expendable for the other residents of this city.
To the teachers in Nashua: Hold your heads high and do what you need to do to maintain your dignity. There are still many of us out here who appreciate what you do for our kids and remain willing to support you on whatever path you choose!
While the teachers can bargain for money,
this mayor will bargain for a compromise.
She is doing this, bc it will pass. Lets support
her efforts, get the raise and move on. She
will fight for teachers and ensure they get the
raise they desserve,but you need to compromise as well. without her compromise you would have no increase at all.
Good show, mayor.
I have been teaching in Nashua for 8 years. I love my job, I love the kids, and I love feeling like I contribute something positive to the lives of young kids each day. WIth all of the terrible comments posted about us lately, I have been feeling very sad and frustrated. I can't stand to think that people think this lowly of educators. I used to think it was such an honorable profession that people respected. I was proud to be a teacher, and so excited to be a teacher in such a great district. This past year has lead me to feel otherwise, and it makes me sad. I just wish that the general consensus is that there are good people teaching in Nashua. We're educated, driven, family-oriented, selfless people. We really are!
Have you given up on education?
Get rid of that ridiculous step schedule. Pay teacher salary according to performance.
1) An immediate pay increase for all teachers
2) A majority of teachers would get an immediate pay increase of more than 10% (wow, that's more than I'll ever get in the private sector0
3) No teacher will lose a step, and most instances they will get two steps
4) Generous pay increases for the next two years
HOW DOES THIS TRANSLATE INTO WE DON'T VALUE EDUCATION? It translates into WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY YOU FOR LAST YEAR ... TIMES ARE TIGHT.
TAKE THE CONTRACT AS AMENDED OR QUIT AND DO THE CITY AND THE TAXPAYERS A FAVOR!
check your facts. I did. Grads will not come here
over the border the starting salary is higher and
perspective is better. I am actually surprised
why teachers ask for such a small increase in the
contract. They should have asked for more.
The only explanation I have the union is not
very experienced in bargaining. The city is.
However, it is not the fault of the teachers that the system is broken. I feel it's partially the fault of the union, and partially the fault of politicians. The politicians tend to pass things like NCLB (which is one of the biggest reasons I'm homeschooling) yet they've never taught a day in their lives.
chose to teach here in Nashua. Right?
If they don't like the pay, why did they stay?
Many private school teachers don't have the
education that teachers have in the public
schools. Private school educators don't even
need to be licensed to teach. You're just one
of those parents that thinks that because it's
called "private" you're getting something extra.
State and Local Government.
How very proud I am to say I know you. You have presented a reasonable and sensible solution that is fair to all concerned. Keep it up !
Think about the senior citizens living on a fixed income ... we raise their taxes to pay for YOUR raises. You know what happens to them? They don't heat their homes and they freeze ... or they don't buy food and they starve.
You wasted a ton of money on the Julia Earle fiasco, there was your raise money right there!!!!
income for almost 3 years. Teachers aren't
to blame for Julia Earle. As a resident you
voted for the BOE.
The board is infested with most teacher fall guys and ladies
Then we can all go back to the way it was when things were good.
This place is like the twilight zone.
What happened to the $3million the city set aside from the education aid from August 07 (4 million went to keeping Nashua property taxes down)? It was my understanding that it was sent to the general fund, which, if memory serves, had something in the neighborhood of $20million+ the last time the Telegraph reported on it about a year ago. And that was before the $3million was added to it. Savings accounts are meant to pay for just this sort of thing, to my way of thinking.
Those of you who want teachers to leave will, I predict, see exactly that sort of thing happen. And contrary to certain postings, there are not people lining up in the wings to step in and fill those positions, especially in fields of math, science, and languages, all of which are major subject areas, especially for college bound kids.
Perhaps you'll be satisfied to see those positions filled by $62/day substitutes, whose jobs are basically to keep kids from killing each other when the teacher is absent. No real learning will happen in those classes staffed exclusively by subs, but for some of you, that's just fine. At this point, why would anyone want to come to Nashua? We don't pay that well, a good portion of the community clearly hates teachers/education in general, our elected leaders don't respect us publicly or anonymously (through forums and postings)...
There are some of us who will hate to leave. Believe it or not, we're fairly well respected teachers who post to the forums; kids generally like us and enjoy our classes, parents compliment and thank us for what we do. We care about the kids and we want to do our jobs--and it will kill us to leave a home we've come to love through the good and the bad. But Nashua isn't giving some of us a choice, and we may be forced to leave.
When I came to Nashua it was among the top in the state. Now Nashua barely makes the top third. It's sad to see a community with such bitterness towards the people who work daily with kids, and a wonder to me that teachers continue to approach each day without a trace of that bitterness affecting them in the classroom.
I hope they can fix this.
Are teachers the only ones who have gone without raises in this City?
Was your name on one of those pinkslips from two years ago?
Is it better to have the job with no raise or to have been told that you will be let go because the City needs to cut teachers.
It is my understanding that unions without contracts have their pay frozen at the most recent rate when that contract expired, so no, teachers are not the only ones who have gone without raises, as there are still several contracts that have not been successfully negotiated yet.
that you did not get a raise in that year?
This new contract's earliest salary schedule says
that it is effective January 17, 2007;
What were the salary schedules/raises prior to
January 17, 2007
It just does not make sense that you received
no raise since August of 2005
We should have gotten a contract/raise/step for 2006-2007. We didn't. In an effort to compromise, the latest contract delayed the step/raise/increase until Jan 2007. All retro pay would apply to that date. In that way, teachers received no raise/step/increase for the calendar year of 2006 (last increase fall 2005, forego 2006--per mayoral instructions for 1 year no raise)), increase to happen for 2007).
The mayor just vetoed the clause of the contract that would allow us to be paid for that 2007 part...in effect, she has now (if the contract were to pass, which I highly doubt at this point) taken away all of calendar year 2006 (half of which was part of a previous contract, I grant you), and all of 2007...and because of the delayed step clause, really she's asking us to give up the first two months of 2008 as well.
This is NOT a fair contract.
So leave, but I guarantee you the situation in this country is getting worse by the minute. Recession??? Try DEPRESSION ... that's where this country is headed and then there will be no jobs for you to leave to go to.
The Telegraph caan run data if they choose to. It would be nice for the readers to see where the teachers fall among others.
Teacher salaries in Nashua are NOT at the top of the heap, but, they are not on the bottom either.
Teachers are due better pay, as are many across the Nation. Nashua just cannot make that all happen this year.
The check has arrived for the work done. Now you do not want to pay for it. Isn't that fair! Try that with the snow plow team and see how quickly it starts to get deep. Because the teachers are serving our children, they continue to work without a contract, serving the greater good and trusting that their community will treat them fairly.
Our new Mayor and 10 Aldermen are teaching us that they are willing to compromise and shortchange Nashua's future.
Had I known she would turn her back on our educators, I never would have supported Mayor Loser's candidacy.
Wonder what they are thinking about their "pro-education" candidates now ?
First all sdounds like it's time top get rid of your cat. Since your feeding it before yourself. Secondly, there is a huge issue with the school system in Nashua. I have yet to decide whether it is indeed just Nashua or the whole state of NH. Having moved from Massachusetts and being a very responsible renter ( thanks for grouping all renters together as irresponsible BTW) I am extremely disappointed in the shcools here and am VERY pleased I don't own anything here and can leave anytime I please. These teachers need and deserve this contract , wiithout them your house won't ever sell. YIKES !
AS HARRY S. TRUMAN PUT IT
" THE BUCK STOPS HERE "
Teach this to the whinners
Our Mayor has heard our voices.
The NTU can keep on asking for the moon;
doubt that this thing will be resolved very soon.
My guess is that the noise and complaints come from
those teachers lower on the scale anyway.
Up the pay for new hires.
Wake up parents! Now is the time to fight for our children's education. It's evident Lozeau and Teeboom and Deane aren't going to. Do you understand that if teachers don't show up, our children don't get educated? When they ask you what you have done to assure them of a quality education now and the future, what will you say to them?
That a city leader publically announced he liked the idea of replacing every high-qualified teacher in city and replace them with non-degeed, $8.86 per hour, non-educator, should have every parent incensed. Look at the meeting minutes. What have you done about it?
Incidentally, my 16 daughter makes $10 per hour babysitting, and she gets paid more if there are more children. I don't think she'd work for $8.86 an hour - don't you think our school children deserve college educated teachers in the classrooms?
You do realize, don't you that substitute teachers are not babysitters? There are no babies for them to sit with and they certainly aren't teaching. They are substitute adults in a classroom trying to keep students from harming one another. My children deserve better than this! I think yours do too.
Wake up parents!
Silly question, since you said that the aldermen who didn't support it, do you know that? Did you ask? Because it sounds like you assumed the way it was written. Maybe, after Lozeau got then she stopped because she had enough? She had it in writing from the wiggling ones, Teeboom and Deane, and McCarthy is a man of his word. Why would she waste time continueing? Spell it out, which was it, assumption by the Telegraph, or fact that was researched?
I am so excited to see what she has planned for revitialization. And mixed income housing. How about fixing the affordable housing that is here first? Raize the problems, start over, and crack down on the problems. Address what we have, head on, don't duck and run, with midnight announcements.
People, when your house value drops by a third, remember who to thank, Mr. Teeboom and Mr. Deane. I am not a teacher, nor am I married to one. I am a home owner, digusted with the sad, sad, state of affairs that Nashua is becoming. This is not the city I grew up in.
Then my taxes will go down. Right?
You reply to someone that posts as H Simpson.
Even Marge doesn't pay that much attention to Homer.
You really give him too much credit.
The contract is written so that year two raises do not begin until February 2008. Even if a double step increase were given for year two, this still means that teachers would go 1.5 years without a pay raise. This is asking more than any other union has accepted. It also hurts the one-third of all Nashua teachers’ who are at the top level and receive no step increases. On top of that, teachers have already agreed to significant increases in health care concessions such as higher premiums, higher prescription drug costs, and higher co-pays for doctor office visits.
Mayor Lozeau might have intended to offer a compromise; but in my opinion she has offered the worst deal yet. I do not see this passing the Union General Membership meeting scheduled for next Tuesday. I do not know where we go from here, but it can't be a good place. The education of Nashua is at stake and many teachers are already out the door.
Are you speaking on behalf of ALL teachers?
Are you trying to imply that you and other
teachers will strike?
What may be right for you as an individual,
is not always what is right for the entire
group.
difficult spring as it appears this
contract will not go through. I would
not say I am alone on this opinion with
teachers. We won't need to wait long
to find out, the Union meeting is
Tuesday
interesting.
If we become a city filled with retirees and trailer parks and section 8 housing, who do you think is going to pay for the tax breaks everyone is whining about needing? Those with the means to live here and subsidize your poverty will have moved on. Who pays for you then?
Its my "very little money" to keep not yours to take for your entitlements.
But one persons service is anothers entitlement. You need to move on(not .org) I believe the community all the way up to the Mayor has spoken.I will definit;ly ppay for education but to pay in excese of what is reasonable I will not. And most of the city feels that way or if you plese at least a majority do.
How do I become a troll by speaking of an issue that literally hits me in the pocketbook.
Looks to me(by looking at your posts) you must be a troll also. All you do is post about the contracr issue. Or you have another screemname and made this one up recently to troll about.
But at least the retirees vote, and the fear mongering of telling them they will lose thier house still works for a few aldermen. Not telling them things that help, such as abatements, senior exemptions, and that the city WON"T take a house from a senior, they may put a lein on, but NO one will be made homeless.
Go Fred, run again. Or put up more puppets and then threaten to take their sign posts. Hand more little old ladies prewritten letters to the editor. Keep insulting the rest of the city and embarassing us for you.
And, I thought your healthcare was paid for by your Union.
Where have you been?
I hope they lay you all off! Then you can go out there and try to find work for a year and half ... if you are lucky enough to find a job maybe you will appreciate what you had.
Your plan then is that Nashua can attract better teachers to improve test scores by charging them more for health care benefits and refusing to give them a cost of living pay increase? Good luck with that!
The education and experience that are urgently needed to work with our children has value! At some point, economics will catch up with these cuts. You get what you pay for. There is no free ride!
The thing that really is sad is that the whole situation is so antagonistic. It is hard to believe that their are so many bright people in this community that could come together to solve financing issues. It would appear that it is easier to point the finger at the other side and keep those feelings of distrust . Why don't both sides work together to decide how best to provide a quality education for all of the kids in Nashua? It isn't rocket science that teachers ,who obviously have the communities respect and backing ,will produce quality students. It also is important that the community, including the teachers, try to look for innovative ways to cut down on expenses (insurance costs) so the tax payers do not suffer. Nobody seems to be able to think outside the box, let alone trust the other side long enough to find a workable solution. Drop the animosity and work together. The other way isn't working. Everyone gets hurt doing it this way. Teachers should not have their steps frozen. Nashua is the only place in N.H. where this happens. All the unions should work together to come up with an insurance carrier that will provide high quality, affordable coverage. This would help the city. Instead of being part of the problem, why not be part of a workable solution. Just because the city and the teachers of Nashua have always fought this battle doesn't mean that has to be this way forever. Get over it. Do something about it!
No teacher will lose a step.
Generous pay increase for the next two years.
Now that does not sound to me like this Mayor or City is being disrespectful of it's educators.
But, considering the amount of money
required to fund it, I believe that the Mayor made a decision that serves ALL, not just some.
pay, and neither will we.
ALL teachers.
president has already made his view
on this clear in today's Telegraph
article. While I can't vouch for every
teacher, I can almost guarantee that
this will go down on Tuesday's vote. Honestly, why
should we accept 1.5 years with no raise when every otehr union only went 1 year without an raise.
in the other years
of the teacher contract are
higher than what
the other city unions received
Honestly, I am not telling you
what you should accept.
I'm just speaking for myself, my
thoughts on this issue. I think
that given the situation, the Mayor
made a good call. And, I do not
understand why anyone would
perceive that to be a disrespect
toward teachers.
of other working
class folks.
So what!
It really does seem that the biggest issue that should be tackled in the negotiation process is not allowing the aldermen to block the step increases. Most teachers would tell you that they could very easily live with the same cost of living increases (modest) that most people get in their jobs if their steps weren't frozen. I think that is one of the things that angers teachers the very most. Nobody wants to believe that hard work and more education won't pay off. It is what we tell the kids all the time. Ask any teacher or alderman if they don't believe this. If you find one, I would be really surprised.
No teachers will lose a step, so explain your argument on that.
To answer your comment about losing the step, a teacher was making somewhere around $8,000 less than they were supposed to have made during the first year of the proposed new contract. That first year will be lost if the teachers vote to accept the contract. Add another $4,000 for the other half of year that will be gone and you get $12,000 that is gone forever. It might help people to see why teachers resent having their stpe increases frozen by the aldermen. Of course, this is by far the largest and LAST step increase that a teacvher in Nashua could hope to expect. Teacher with less experience will also lose money, but they also have the ability to gain increases for more years to come. In essence, the salary schedule compensates teachers for their experience. Most businesses do the very same thing, but it is called a raise. And there are no caps on the number of raises that an employee in the private sector can get. Don't forget the bonuses that these people can earn too. Teachers don't get bonuses. You can see how capping out at the end of the 12 step salary schedule is basically the end of any type of raise for a teacher. That is why losing the 1.5 years of step increases will sting those on that last step.
$8000 annual raise?
salary schedule stops at 12?
What is longevity pay?
Does the adult learning center have a course
to study this contract?
Geez, it just doesn't make sense to me?
What's all this step schedule stuff for?
Think of it this way: Would you rather have a mechanic that just came out of college with no experience work on hte car you are still paying on, or a seasoned mechanic who has been repairing cars for years as well as getting additional training? One often less than the other, but who does a better job?
Teachers are compensated by their level of experience in teaching. This is why the ideas of "steps" is so confusing.
you will top the pay scale at 35"
meaning you are a well paid 35 year old. all you had to do was stay
in Nashua for 12 years. what about performance on the job?
doesnt seem to matter does it. it just depends on how many years
you stuck it out.
Your points are well taken. They show a good grasp of the situation and a desire to explore new solutions. Perhaps you should run for public office.
Oh. Wait. The Nashua taxpayers would be paying you then. Your income would be subject to review by those biased by what they think Nashua can afford. Why would the best and brightest people want to serve a community that is more concerned with preserving a relatively low tax rate rather than support a reasonable standard of services?
The teachers stay because they choose to dedicate their lives and a big portion of their hard earned income to improving the community by helping to raise the children.
It always shocks me when I see how many people undervalue our teachers.
been.
The will not receive the raise, but will advance to the next step on the first schedule shown in the contract, 2006/2007;
They will receive the raise for schedule 2007/2008; effective February 17,2008.
Correct me if I am wrong
to accept the Mayor's changes; with some
teachers losing an average of $1,300 dollars.
I think it is time to move forward, teacher.
concerned for. Starting pay is not high enough.
If you are close to $60 G and are having financial troubles, that is your
problem.
Teachers at the higher end of the scale are paid well in my opinion.
And the starting teachers are loosing money and raises in similar amounts, as well as the experience credit that would get them to the higher salary ranges.
15 years where?
And, could it hurt to check your spelling. You are representing
the educators of Nashua if you post with the name teacher.
Too many teachers are making this about "respect".
And, just so there is no confusion about "propaganda" here..... I am not one of Nashua's teachers, but I do support them200%!
Years from now they will recall how important money was to their teachers. Will they remember the field trips, school plays and after-school activities?
------------------------
teacher 6 hours ago with 1 point
Have you drove through the cities poorest neighborhoods lately? Have you attended a community meeting at French Hill? I guess not. If you had, you would realize that the neighborhoods are becoming crime infested!
You need to go back and read the preceding posts for this comment. Teacher was not playing dirty tricks. It was said as part of the discusion.
BTW, there are at least two of us posting as "teacher" on this commentary, so I can on pressume what the other "teacher" was going for in his/her post.
It is a shame to see such comments from our ?highly-qualified educators?
I know some of you teachers must be frustrated with the union, mayor, aldermen and the BOE and not having contracts, and not getting the raises that you deserve.
Here's a thought and this is just a thought, to any of the teachers out there that are frustrated with all of this. What about looking into starting up a charter school/s right here in town? It's would be chartered by the state, it would not be governed by the BOE or town, it would be a public school/s that would have to abide by the educational standards that the state requires and generally they have a higher quality of education than what the state requires. If they don't at least live up to the state requirements, then the charter is taken away(so you can see why they would want to live up to the requirements!)
This could help out with a lot. You would get away from the Union, the contract, the BOE, and the mayor.I'd be the first to check into it for my kids if there was one available here in town! I know they are a very popular alternative in Massachusetts, so much that enrollment is by lottery! Again, just a thought!
how do you suppose those charter schools are funded????
Seeing we don't pay STATE taxes, it wouldn't effect anyones taxes
Why so defensive?
"Some critics argue that public charter school funding takes money away from the local school district. In reality, most public charter school founders see their school as a way to save taxpayers money while also providing more education options for students. Public charter schools are typically more entrepreneurial and can take advantage of philanthropic gifts. This means that in the long run, a public charter school is extremely cost-efficient to run. Additionally, public charter schools help solve the issue of overcrowding in fast-growing New Hampshire cities and towns where additional schools and teachers are needed. "
Will you open this school to all students or only those that you approve of. If you get public funding you should allow any parent to place a child in the school. This would include students with diabilities and ESL students. Maybe we could get all the students from the transitional school into your charter school, they need a new facility.
My guess is that you want a private school paid for with public money.
First off..It was a suggestion to teachers to get away from the BOE, mayor etc...I AM NOT OPENING UP ANY SCHOOL...if you have done any reading about charter schools you would know that they are PUBLIC, and I have tried to explain that a few times...They are funded by the state and are open to ALL residents of NH, regardless of where the student lives and the location of the school. If you paid ANY attention to what I wrote, I said nothing about a private school, and mentioned that they were public. There are several in NH as of right now. These work well in other states and SAVE taxpayers money. But, why would anyone want to look at saving taxpayers any money? I mean it would give all of the whiners nothing to do....except complain about saving??
What part of my post even indicated that they are only be for "the chosen?" Or that I want a private school paid for with public money? THEY ARE PUBLIC! What's your gripe? Why so cynical?
I see another post below mine from someone else, seemingly supportive, didn't see you jumping on that one! GET A HOBBY
Who are you to tell anyone to "get a hobby"
since trolling these comment boards seems to be your new "hobby"
Who looks out for those "kids"
Really,
Stick to posting opinions on the article.
benevolent activity = philanthropic gifts.
state only pays about $4 g per kid; currently Nashua public kids = about $9 g per kid to educate
"As an independent school, the chartered public school is not bound by existing union contracts and can develop its own salary and benefit programs. Many chartered schools accommodate their decreased per pupil cost through new and different ways of doing business. Financial sustainability is a challenge for chartered public schools and the best of these schools are entrepreneurial, creative, and resourceful."
I would really like an answer- if anyone knows...
Residency (citizenship)= Ownership. If you LIVE in the place you work (teach), it's a completely different experience.
I taught in inner-city public schools for a decade, and LIVED in the cities where I taught. I lived with college students, in a condo when I lived on the West Coast. In Lawrence, I lived in a "two-family " with a single Mom & her son; and later, in another two-family with my husband. Then I lived in a condo with my husband and a roommate.
Teaching is NOT a "Get Rich Quick" kind of vocation. But you have friends from college that you can scoot off to visit, you have the time to do that. Also, you work with people who read, and have lots of interests, outside The Classroom.
You CAN, find time to be with family and friends, because of the structure of the job's "hours". (Although you may be correcting papers while everyone is "watching The Game")
It IS a Lifestyle Choice. It is NOT a job that is "all about the money". We all need to make sacrifices in this type of economy.
Let's get creative- check out the Charter School concept, Merit Pay, Residency Rewards for Teachers who LIVE in the City. Whatever it takes to fix this broken system and pull together.
Thankfully, our Mayor is going to be involved and help us!
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,...
titled "How to Make Great Teachers." I can't say that I agree with everything it says, but it raises some interesting points.
What I am hearing from SOME of this City's Teachers:
"Too Bad."
"Pay us or we are going to make life "interesting" for the school population"
"We deserve MORE!"
If teachers can go to Board of Alderman meetings, can the public go to Nashua Teacher Union meetings?
Unions had their place in U.S. History... they are no longer required and end up causing more problems than they are worth in the 21st century.
Why was the child out of district. You acknowledge that there are many experienced teachers here now.
I guess what I don't understand is some people think that they deserve a larger raise and better benifits other work sectors. My taxes, gas, utilites, food, and everyday costs went up just like theirs did. I feel that what-ever your job is, we should all have a base starting pay and everyone gets the same percentage raises each year. Provided that you are lucky enough to get one. If some do an outstanding job, or go above and beyond, then give them a bonus. Don't reward all for the hard work that others do.
Everyone knows the standard line about the lazy custodian, and there are some, just like the teacher who teaches just enough to get by. I go by classrooms and can't help but notice how many rooms have teachers aides in them. I would sure appreciate having someone help me do my job each day, as I'm sure anyone in the working would.